‘Treemendous’ obstacles are blocking paths

One of the overgrown trees in Willesby Road, Spalding. ANL-160624-153703001

Published:12:09Tuesday 28 June 2016

Spalding residents can’t walk on the pavements in their street because of overgrown trees.

Trees on the pavement are wildly overgrown and shoots springing from the base of the trunks are blocking paths in Willesby Road.

Resident Sue McPartlin (49) told us the county council normally cuts the trees back but nothing’s been done for months and this is the worst she’s known her street in 22 years.

The mum of three said: “I can’t imagine anyone with a pushchair or a wheelchair getting past them.

“There are rather a lot of trees and it’s actually impossible to walk by them without touching them.”

The shop worker said nettles are mixed in with some of the tree shoots, making it more of a hazard to get by, and there’s a hole in the road that’s been coned off for months and not filled in.

She said recent downpours washed the cones away and the council put them back, leaving the hole untouched and drivers are still having to drive around it.

Debra Greeves, area highways manager, said: “We’re aware of the issue and have asked our contractor to trim back 23 trees. We’re awaiting a date for when the work will happen, but it should be in the next few weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience caused in the meantime.”

Regarding the hole in the road, she added: ““There’s a damaged manhole cover on Willesby Road, which we have coned off for safety. We’re now talking to Anglian Water about getting it repaired.”